Flood rescues unfold across Southwest as Hurricane Polo fuels storm threat

Emergency crews carried out dramatic high-water rescues in Nevada and Arizona as storms fueled in part by moisture from Hurricane Polo brought a flood threat to the Southwest.

(CNN)- Emergency crews carried out dramatic high-water rescues in Nevada and Arizona as storms fueled in part by moisture from Hurricane Polo brought a flood threat to the Southwest.

In Las Vegas, firefighters responded Monday after reports that a man fell over a bridge and into a drainage tunnel during a storm.

Crews initially could not reach the man because of the distance and speed of the water. Firefighters eventually set up a high-point and rope system and hoisted him to safety.

Another rescue unfolded Tuesday in Arizona, where a person was found clinging to an overturned truck in rushing floodwaters.

A helicopter crew lifted the person to safety. The victim was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The rescues came amid storms fueled in part by moisture from the Pacific Ocean, including Hurricane Polo.

Polo made its first landfall in Mexico’s Baja California Sur late Monday as a high-end Category 2 hurricane before making a second landfall in mainland Mexico Tuesday.

Moisture from the storm is helping fuel a multi-day flood threat in the United States, including in Texas, where officials are preparing for heavy rainfall.

“We station crews around the city to check in on our bridges and culverts,” said Leah Gibson, division manager for Austin Watershed Protection.

Hurricane Polo is also bringing powerful waves to parts of Southern California, where coastal erosion remains a concern following the effects of Hurricane Marie earlier this month.